Occupational Therapy

Creating a Sensory Diet: Arousal and Self-Regulation

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

Arousal refers to the ability to maintain an ideal level of sustained alertness needed to complete various tasks and activities.

In general, we are most productive in a calm-alert state with moments of low- and high-arousal in between.

Every day, our bodies constantly seek out ways to maintain the optimal state of arousal necessary to complete tasks and activities. Sure, there might be moments of lethargy or hyperactivity, but that’s typical. As adults, we have the ability to seek out whatever we need to help us self-regulate (Hello, coffee!).

However, children don’t have the freedom or knowledge to get them to where they should be. So when they are jumping off the walls, are cranky or tired, or just in a complete meltdown, it’s because they have exhausted the mental energy needed to handle stimuli and expected tasks (i.e. focusing on an assignment, completing chores, or engaging politely with others). They’ve simply run out of gas.

So, how can we help our kids self-regulate throughout the day, especially when they are stuck at home?

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The Non-Traditional Classroom: Your Virtual Learning Setup

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

School is back in session, and it’s something we’ve been anxious about all summer. Thanks to COVID, we’ve seen a ton of different back-to-school plans and after this past month, we’re starting to see which schools are working and which schools are back to the Zoom drawing board.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends in-person schooling for children as it provides social interaction, physical activity, and emotional aptitude. Face-to-face school also offers access to a variety of learning supports otherwise limited with online classrooms.

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Pregnancy Self-Care

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

Modern expectant moms (especially first-time moms) hear a gamut of unsolicited advice during their pregnancy term. “You need to take care of yourself,” strangely seems to be one of the more annoying pieces of noise.

It makes sense. But with a 9-month (or sooner) deadline, how can one balance preparing for baby AND fulfilling professional and personal commitments AND taking care of yourself? Let’s also not forget finding time to read the baby books, going to all of the appointments, and having people touch your belly all the time…

From an OT perspective, self-care is a part of daily living that includes meaningful and intentional actions to address one’s physical, mental, and emotional health. These activities can range anywhere from personal hygiene to health management, sleep, and social participation.

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The Baby (Development) Registry

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

Oh, the baby registry. It’s an exciting time to search for all the things that baby (and you) could ever need. But what is really necessary? When it comes to growth and development, here are our suggestions for items that help in more ways than one. 

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A Nest for Your Egg

| Mary Stoffel, MOT, OTR/L

“We can’t bring a baby into this mess!?!?…”

In pregnancy, some women may feel this incessant internal urge to clean. Nothing ever seems to be together. Everything revolves around getting and being ready.

Nesting is the process of preparing for a newborn’s arrival; turning a house into a home and providing a place of comfort, belonging, and physical and emotional stability for your baby.

How is nesting related to OT? Because it is something meaningful to you. You are investing your time and energy in activities necessary to care for your little one.

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